Sumatran Tiger Cubs first birthday

[fern]

Auckland Zoo, New Zealand, 13 June 09

Tiger cubs celebrate first birthday

Birthday presents for the big cats.




While there, we also got this lovely shot of a couple of the meercats, born at the zoo, enjoying some time with their keeper.

[Tasmanian_tiger]

Oh waw!  Wonderfull that they are doing that for them.

Do they have a big enclosure there (->meerkats)?  I recall the one in Antwerp was rather small (but I saw it is gone now, moved to Plankendael.)

[fern]

I think they currently have about 3 areas for the meercats. None are particularly big but they are not a big animal. From what I have seen it would only be the three born at the zoo that are cuddly with the keeper. The rest are not and I understand many keepers have been nipped by them. The exhibits have lots of tunnels and crevices. They also have an underground tunnel for zoo guests where you go under the exhibit and climb ladders to put you head above ground in a dome and be at eye-level with them. The kids love this but it is a killer on your back for an adult as the tunnels are small and you either duck walk or crawl through them.
I will post other pics of their animals at some point.

[Pukkie]

Ooh I just love those tigers  I snatched those if you don't mind Fern They are so very ontzettend gorgeous